Spain locks down an area with 200,000 people after spike in coronavirus cases

Spain’s Catalonia region has locked down an area following a surge in coronavirus cases just as Brits prepare to holiday in the country.

An area near the town of Lleida, home to around 200,000 people, has been shut down today. 

‘We have decided to confine the del Segria zone following data confirming a sharp rise in COVID-19 infections,’ Catalonia’s regional president Quim Torra told reporters, adding that no one would be allowed to enter or leave the area.

There have been 62,057 confirmed cases in Catalonia since the outbreak began, with 5,673 related deaths. 

The Ministry of Health in Spain has registered 21 deaths from coronavirus in the last week.

Seventeen new deaths were reported yesterday, with the official country-wide coronavirus death toll now at 28,385. 

Spain’s mortality rate recently returned to normal compared with the same period over the previous five years, with no excess deaths since 18 May.

Some 174 infections have been diagnosed in the country in the last 24 hours, an increase compared to yesterday when 134 were registered. In total, 250,545 have been infected.

After almost 100 days of confinement, Spain reached the so-called new normal.

Restrictions were lifted and borders with the EU and 15 non-Schengen area countries were opened.  

Arrivals from the UK don’t have to self-isolate on arrival but will have to wear face masks on public transport and public spaces where it is not possible to maintain a five-foot distance. 

England will lift the quarantine of travellers arriving from Spain on July 10 and an air bridge was opened to the country from today – meaning Brits can travel there.

In Catalonia, the government entrusts individuals with the responsibility to avoid contagion. 

The restrictions on capacity, both indoors and outdoors, no longer apply. Venues have to ensure a distance between people of five feet. 

More to follow.